Greg Sankey discusses the American Football Coaches Association's proposal to expand the College Football Playoff to 24 teams and complete the season by mid-January. Key changes include ending conference championship games and reducing off weeks.
Key points
Greg Sankey addresses AFCA's playoff proposal
Proposal aims for 24 playoff teams
Season completion by second Monday in January
Ending conference championship games suggested
Reducing off weeks to one and game days to six
Mentioned in this story
Greg SankeyAmerican Football Coaches Association
Greg Sankey addresses American Football Coaches Association playoff proposal
The AFCA wants the college football season completed by the second Monday in January while maximizing the number of participants in the College Football Playoff, which could be as many as 24. To do this, the proposal states a motion to end conference championship games, reduce off weeks to one, reduce the number of days between games to no fewer than six and allowing games to be played the same day as Army-Navy, while still giving that game a preserved window.
And with this proposal, Sankey had a question.
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell rolls out and throws a touchdown pass at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama offensive linemen Jayvin James and Michael Carroll drop to block at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
Q&A
What is the American Football Coaches Association's proposal for the College Football Playoff?
The proposal aims to expand the playoff to 24 teams and complete the season by the second Monday in January, while eliminating conference championship games.
How does the AFCA plan to change the college football schedule?
The AFCA proposes reducing off weeks to one and minimizing the number of days between games to no fewer than six.
What impact would the AFCA's proposal have on the Army-Navy game?
The proposal allows games to be played on the same day as the Army-Navy game while preserving a dedicated window for that matchup.
Who is Greg Sankey and what is his role in college football?
Greg Sankey is the commissioner of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and is involved in discussions about the future of college football, including playoff proposals.
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April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell hands off to running back Daniel Hill at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Austin Mack throws a pass at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Austin Mack prepares to take a snap at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell throws a pass at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell dives forward to cover a loose ball at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell runs the ball at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
1 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell rolls out and throws a touchdown pass at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
1 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell rolls out and throws a touchdown pass at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
2 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama offensive linemen Jayvin James and Michael Carroll drop to block at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
3 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell hands off to running back Daniel Hill at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
4 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
5 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Austin Mack throws a pass at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
6 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Austin Mack prepares to take a snap at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
7 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell throws a pass at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
8 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell dives forward to cover a loose ball at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
9 / 9
Look at our Alabama football A-Day spring game photo gallery, best images
April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell runs the ball at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.
"Where do you fit all the games that the American Football Coaches Association without, like, picking up the phone with those of us in the decision-making role, issues a set of statements and says, 'We want to get the season done earlier?'" Sankey said at the Associated Press Sports Editors Southeast Region meeting at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
Sankey then picked apart the AFCA proposal bullet by bullet.
SEC league coaches collectively want a second off week for injury prevention along with development and recovery purposes.
And the SEC is under contract to have a football championship through 2031, with an option to extend to 2036, one of a handful of "mutually exclusive options that have to be considered" in terms of scheduling, adding in competiting for ratings with Saturday NFL games.
As far as the number of teams in the CFP, Sankey understands what expansion means. He gave Oklahoma as an example, a team who was unapologetic about its tough schedule and turned it into playoff placement.
Instead of being a six-win team "hanging on for dear life" on the outside looking in with a four-team, playoff, that team now has a chance in 12.
Sankey is not against expansion. He backs expansion to 16 teams. He needs to see more research on 24, without automatic bids.
But what Sankey wants to make clear is the AFCA's place in the conversation.
"I can only deal with reality, right?" Sankey said.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him atcgay@gannett.comor follow him@_ColinGayon X, formerly known as Twitter.
